Someone must have been spreading lies about Josef K, for without having done anything wrong he was arrested one morning.
The opening lines of the novella The Trial by Czech-born German language writer Franz Kafka. Published posthumously in 1925, (but believed to be written around 1914 / 1915), it tells of an innocent man’s struggles to clear against a charge he is never made aware of. I’ve long been a fan of his work and quoted my favourite of his short stories here,
Alex Raphael 
and the Castle perhaps even better?
I need to read it. I’ve read Metamorphosis and most of his short stories. I even have a nice T-shirt I got from Prague. “Prague never let’s you go… this dear little mother has sharp claws.” No other writer like him.
It’s very good
Consider it added to the list, right near the top 🙂
It is a nice choice of statement which says much about the injustice Josef K must have felt from such authorities and the cover makes me wonder of the complications (like ‘being tangled in a web’) that his character had faced from many.
The cover really is beautiful. The fact you cannot see the spider only makes the metaphor even more apt, as in the story the enemy always seems invisible. There really was no other writer who captured secrecy, paranoia and faceless bureaucracy. It really reads like a nightmare.
Great book.
The only book I’ve read that has similar themes and outlook is Nineteen Eighty-Four. Which is some company.
Ashamed to say I’ve never read 1984.
You have to! It’s one of the greatest books ever. I really think you’ll love it.
I was once in a stage adaptation of The Trial (many moons ago!). I love it so much.
That’s awesome. Fraulein Burstner?
It was Stephen Berkoff’s adaptation – I played one of the arresting officers!
I hope they left the flogging scene out then ha.
If it’s not a “Where’s Waldo” book I won’t read it. Ha! I’d like to say I’ve been falsely accused of not reading the book. However, in this case, that would be an accurate assessment. I know the premise and hope to get around to reading the book one day soon
Funny to think he’s called Wally here in the UK. Maybe that’s why he’s harder to find 😉
Haha. You’re funny. And I actually mean it this time. 😆😜